Steven Gerrard told Michael Owen to his face what he thought of controversial Man Utd transfer

Steven Gerrard is an all-time Liverpool legend, that much goes without saying. But despite playing alongside him for both club and country, scoring a whopping 158 goals and winning the Ballon d'Or, the same cannot be said for Michael Owen.

Once the best striker in the world, Owen forewent any chance of achieving legendary status when he left for Real Madrid, before comprehensively burning bridges by moving to arch-rival Manchester United later in his career.

Many at Anfield will never forgive him for that. Certainly, he can be guaranteed a mixed reception every time he returns to Liverpool — and he once touched upon that very topic with Gerrard. While Gerrard was manager at Aston Villa, he experienced taking an opposing side to Anfield to take on Liverpool. Owen was on punditry duty for DAZN, and asked him how it felt.

READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Bombshell Alexander-Arnold claim, Wirtz stance, Luis Diaz wanted

READ MORE: Liverpool makes significant Virgil van Dijk contract decision as Arne Slot impact felt already

"Just wondering," mused Owen. "We've all played, we've all gone back to Anfield in different guises."

Gerrard could easily have interjected at this point, responding that he never had that experience, having been almost exclusively a one-club man. After he called it a day at Liverpool in 2015, all that was left of his playing career was a brief stint at LA Galaxy.

But he let Owen finish his question. The former striker continued: "I must admit I hated going back to play against Liverpool. What were your emotions like going back today? How does it feel taking a team to your home?" Wearing a smirk, Gerrard delivered a perfect answer. "If I played for Man U, I'd hate coming back too!"

Things ultimately did not work out for Gerrard at Aston Villa. He is now manager at Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, where for six months he was coaching Jordan Henderson, the man who succeeded him as Liverpool captain. He still boasts Gini Wijnaldum among the ranks.

Owen, for his part, continues to do some punditry work, as well as forging some success as an owner in the world of horse racing. Opinion on him in Liverpool remains decidedly split, although he did captain a 'Legends' team in Hong Kong earlier this year.

Liverpool.com says: It was the perfect response from Gerrard. There doesn't seem to be any genuine bad blood there, and they have subsequently featured as pundits together on BT Sport (now TNT Sports). But he gave Owen a swift reminder that he has brought any discomfort on himself.

For those who have served Liverpool loyally and avoided the temptation to move to a club like Manchester United, a great Anfield reception always awaits. Gerrard experienced that upon his return, even as an Aston Villa manager. It's probably long past time to forgive Owen, but his stint at Old Trafford can never be entirely forgotten.